As we descended the heights, we trundled along a Utah Federal Highway, something close akin to a "secondary road". But it was a scenic and education road. Did you know that this is where your oil comes from? Lonely oil pumps in the middle of no-where?
We stopped at a turn-out along the road for lunch. Smokey, aka Brown-Princess-Chipmunk-Hunter, really wanted to go hunting while we ate.
Back on flat land, but the promise of mountainous national parks kept our interest peaked.
Finally!!! Up a few thousand feet and here we are, Canyonland National Park country!!!! This is just one view at the Visitor Center, at the entrance to our camp site at Dead Horse Point State Park (more on that name later in the blog).
We had dire expectations of the campground, based on the treeless, hot (95 at the gas station), red clay environment. Pleasantly surprised - yes, it's still hot and dusty red clay. But we are in a campground of only 20 sites, clean toilets, and a shaded picnic area. There is no water in the area, so we had to be sure we came in with a full tank. But we have electricity, a blessing in this heat. Last night, by 10:30, we turned it off, opened windows, and it was perfect.
This morning, EARLY TO AVOID HEAT, we drove to the point of Dead Horse Point State Park. It was a little hazy, so these aren't perfect pictures, but I'm sure we'll try again. Our first views of amazing Canyonlands National Park.
Look carefully and you'll see the Green River,tributary to the Colorado River, flowing and twisting through the canyon land.
On our short drive to the extreme south end of the park, we saw evidence of mixed weather, so common here. It's a combination of sun beams shining through the clouds and rain pouring.
The Grand View hiking trail is ...well, I am beyond words. However, I am VERY PROUD to say that I walked the entire 2 mile (round trip) trail. Slowly, but without my brace or cast. I am healing!!!
The trail runs along the rim of the canyon.
It's a steep drop off.... no, I'm not afraid of heights, and no, I didn't get any closer!!!
The trail end is at the far point of the first butte. Here is a view from the starting of the trail.
The view from the trail end is the other side of the canyon. wow.
Millions of years of flowing and ebbing oceans in the canyons have carved wonderous canyons within the canyon.
Back from the Grand View,we saw Candlestick.
Next, a walk to see our first arch, Mesa Arch.
Boy, does it sit on the edge of the canyon wall! That dark overhead is the bottom of the arch.
Last, a drive across "The Neck". Canyonlands land is sort of like a Y. At one point there is a narrow (49 ft) wide natural bridge that connects the bottom of the Y with the rest of it. This natural bridge was used by cowboys and settlers to keep cattle and horses corralled with only a bit of fencing at the Neck. Horse wranglers drove wild horses into this neck, selected and sold the best, and left the remaining horses to die of thirst, thousands of feet from the nearest water. Therefore, the name --- Dead Horse Point. You can see both sides of the canyon, but not the narrow neck that connects them.
Back at the RV before 4, trying miss some of the heat of the day, The plan for tomorrow is to drive to Mesa Verde. More photos!!!
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